Method and apparatus for automatic set-up of electronic devices

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus to automatically set-up an electronic device having multiple user-controllable functionalities is provided by an arrangement that provides an interactive menu to a user. The user interacts with the menu to select and set a functionality to a desired setting. The automatic set-up arrangement receives a set-up command corresponding to the menu choice and transmits the set-up command to the electronic device in the form of an IR beam. The IR beam containing the set-up command is used to set the user-controllable functionality of the electronic device to the selected setting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to electronic devices, and more particularly, toa method and apparatus for automatic set-up of electronic devices.

Electronic devices, including consumer electronic equipment such asvideo cassette recorders (“VCRs”), tape players, compact disc (“CD”)players, Digital Versatile Disc (“DVD”) players, cable television(referred to commonly as community access television or “CATV”) set-topterminals, satellite receivers, home theater systems, stereo systems andtelevisions, require some degree of programming to invoke desiredfeatures and functions or set operating parameters. Typically,user-defined settings such as local time and user-preferences (forexample language, stored channels or stations, picture and audiosettings) must be set-up, configured or initialized by the user (allsuch terms being referred to collectively in the description thatfollows as “set-up”). Such user-controlled functions and preferences aretypically set-up by entering a command sequence (i.e., a string ofcommands) by pushing buttons on a remote control. The remote controltransmits a radio-frequency (“RF”), or more typically an infrared (“IR”)signal (for example a pulse coded modulated IR carrier) to theelectronic device to set the function to the desired setting. With someelectronic devices, buttons on the electronic device itself are pushedas a replacement or supplement to the remote control to perform theset-up function.

As electronic devices have evolved to include increasingly sophisticatedand complex features, the operator interface required to set-up thedevice can be very complicated. User's manuals and documentationdescribing the operation of all such features have become voluminous andincreasingly difficult to comprehend in many instances. In addition, thecommand sequence to set-up and control these features is often lengthy,and the user must locate each button on the remote control (which mayinclude a large number of individual buttons) to effectively set-up theelectronic device. If the buttons are not actuated within apredetermined time period, the remote control typically “times out” andthe user may be required to reenter the command sequence from thebeginning. In addition, with some remote control arrangements, thecommand sequence must be reentered if the user actuates an incorrectbutton.

In the case of televisions (and devices such as VCRs, DVDs, home theatercomponents and set-top terminals that are typically connected totelevisions), programming is often facilitated using a graphical userinterface (“GUI”) provided by an on-screen display (“OSD”) on thetelevision. In other cases, the GUI is provided by a displayincorporated within the remote control itself. The GUI provides a menuof choices and/or data fields that are presented to user on thetelevision or remote control display screen. The user presses buttons onthe remote control to navigate through the menu to enter the requireddata and effect the desired settings. Sometimes the GUI guides the userthrough multiple “screens” that may be arranged in a hierarchical mannerin order to set-up the multitude of available user-controlled featuresand functions that the electronic device provides.

While remote control set-up works well in many cases, the convenience ofsuch arrangements is often reduced by having to locate a specific remotecontrol to match a specific electronic device. Most all electronicdevices are designed to work with a particular remote control that usesa matching communication protocol. Difficulties may be created for theuser in coordinating the set-ups of multiple devices using differentremote controls. For example, in order for a user to use a VCR to recorda program broadcast on a satellite network, the satellite receiver, VCRand television must be coordinated properly. If any of these devices arenot set-up correctly, the attempted recording may be unsuccessful. Inaddition, electronic devices—even those sold under the same brand—oftenuse very different set-up and programming schemes. That is, the commandsequence (and corresponding set of button pushes on the remote control)to set the clock on a television, for example, may require steps or dataentries that differ, in number and sequence, from those used to set-up aVCR.

In addition to the physical differences in buttons and push sequences,remote controls typically use set-up interfaces that vary considerablyin “look and feel.” Thus, the steps used to move through a menu, enterdata such as dates, times, and channels, enable a feature, or correct amistaken button push (to cite just a few examples) are not consistentwith every remote control. Such variability makes it difficult for theuser to set-up all of the user's electronic devices (without consultingan operating manual for each of the devices), and users often findsetting up their electronic devices to be a demanding, exacting, andgenerally frustrating experience.

With many electronic devices, an interruption in power necessitates thatfeatures be set-up again once power is restored. For example, the time,channel surfing order, and preferred video and audio settings on atelevision may be lost during a power outage or when a user disconnectspower to move the television from one location to another. When power isrestored, the television displays the incorrect time and may default tofactory-settings for channels and settings. With electronic devices suchas VCRs, the display often shows a flashing “12:00” that remainsflashing until the user resets the clock. Users have been known to livewith the flashing “12:00” rather than endure the inconvenienceassociated with resetting the electronic device to the correct time.Power outages are not uncommon and may occur many times over the courseof year in a typical household which leads to the time consuming andfrustrating task of setting up each of the affected electronic devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and apparatus to automatically set-up an electronic devicehaving multiple user-controllable functionalities is provided by anarrangement that provides an interactive menu to a user. The userinteracts with the menu to select and set a functionality to a desiredsetting. The automatic set-up arrangement receives a set-up commandcorresponding to the menu choice and transmits the set-up command to theelectronic device in a wireless signal such as an RF transmission or IRbeam. The wireless signal containing the set-up command is used to setthe user-controllable functionality of the electronic device to theselected setting.

In an embodiment of the invention, the automatic set-up arrangementincludes set-top terminal capability. A remote control that operates theset-top terminal and automatic set-up arrangement is provided. Atelevision is operably coupled to the automatic set-up arrangement sothat it may receive television programming and other transmissions, viathe set-top terminal, from a network such as a CATV communicationsystem. The television also displays the menu (in the form of a GUI) tofacilitate the user selection of settings that is provided by theautomatic set-up arrangement.

After the user identifies an electronic device to the automatic set-uparrangement (for example by entering brand and/or model information orby selecting a particular electronic device from a menu of devices) theGUI displays one or more sets of user-controllable functions to theuser. Each set of user-controllable functions matches a specificelectronic device, and multiple sets of user-controllable functions maybe used to facilitate set-up of the user's entire collection ofelectronic devices.

A user selects a desired setting for a selected functionality from amenu pertaining to the identified electronic device. Set-up commandsrelating to the selected settings are obtained from a set-up commanddatabase. Data allowing the pertinent menu to be displayed by the GUIand the set-up commands may be stored locally within the automaticset-up arrangement or be obtained from a network source, such as acontroller or server at the headend of the CATV system. The obtainedset-up commands are transmitted in an IR beam to the electronic deviceto set-up the device according to the user's selections.

The user works through each electronic device in a collection performinga set-up on each, repeating the process as necessary to change a set-upof an electronic device or to initialize new equipment added to thecollection. Settings may be restored by user command, or automaticallyupon restoration of power after a power outage. A time stamp is obtainedfrom a network source so that clock settings in all affected electronicdevices may be restored accurately.

In another embodiment of the invention, an automatic set-up arrangementreceives an IR signal representing a command (or multiple IR signalsrepresenting a command sequence) from a native remote control that isemployed by a user while setting-up an electronic device in aconventional manner. The command or command sequence is sent to a memorywhere it is stored. Commands and command sequences for a user's entirecollection of electronic device may also be stored. When a triggeringevent such as a power outage and restoration is detected, a command orcommand sequence is transmitted in an IR beam to the electronic deviceto automatically restore its settings.

In other embodiments of the invention, the electronic device isidentified by a process where the automatic set-up arrangement performsthe identification based on the receipt of an example of commandsequences that are entered by the user on the native remote control. Aguided set-up is also provided when the arrangement detects that theuser requires assistance or when an new electronic device (i.e, one notpreviously known to the automatic set-up arrangement) is detected.Remote configuration and troubleshooting of electronic device set-ups,both with and without the use of customer service personnel, and anembodiment of the invention where set-ups are shared among a group ofusers are further disclosed.

Advantageously, the inventive arrangement provides a consistent userinterface that is independent of the variability in set-up commandsequences. The user also gains the benefit of having a singlearrangement that can set-up a variety of electronic devices fromdifferent manufacturers without having to know how to program thedevice, or needing to consult the user's manual. The automatic set-uparrangement of the present invention further provides a convenient meansto coordinate the set-up of multiple electronics devices. In addition, asingle command (or substantially reduced command string lengths comparedwith those provided by native remote controls) may be advantageouslyemployed by the user to restore preferred settings or reset a clockafter a device is moved, for example. Alternatively, the user mayconfigure the inventive arrangement to reset settings and set clocks tothe correct time automatically whenever power is interrupted andsubsequently restored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a simplified functional block diagram of an arrangementfacilitating practice of the invention, including an automatic set-updevice;

FIG. 2 is a simplified functional block diagram depicting details of theautomatic set-up device of the invention, including a set-top terminalmodule, IR blaster, IR receiver, controller, event detector, and memory;

FIG. 3 is a simplified functional block diagram showing a set-topterminal having an automatic set-up module, in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting an illustrative method of operating anautomatic set-up device, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting another illustrative method of operatingan automatic set-up device, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting an illustrative method of operating anautomatic set-up device where guided set-up is provided when it isdetected that the user needs assistance, or an unknown electronic deviceis detected.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting an illustrative method for performingremote diagnosis and troubleshooting of electronic devices, inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting another illustrative method forperforming remote diagnosis and troubleshooting of electronic devices,in accordance with the invention, and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart depicting an illustrative method for sharingcommon or similar set-up arrangements, in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a simplified block diagram of anarrangement, in accordance with the invention, including an automaticset-up device 100. Also depicted in FIG. 1 is a collection of electronicdevices (collectively designated by reference numeral 107), a remotecontrol 110, network 130, and customer service station 129. Automaticset-up device 100 is arranged to receive wireless communications fromremote control 110, for example via an RF signal or more preferably, anIR beam represented by reference numeral 105 in FIG. 1. Automatic set-updevice 100 is further arranged to broadcast a command signal (or sets ofcommand signals) to electronic devices 107 as represented by the area inFIG. 1 enclosed by the line designated 115. Such broadcast may beimplemented as an RF signal, however, an IR beam may be preferred inmost applications of the invention.

Automatic set-up device 100 is operably coupled to network 130. In theillustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, network 130 is a CATV systemincluding a transmission media (such as a cable plant 132) and headend135. Cable plant 132 may comprise a co-axial network, a hybridfiber-coax network, or a wireless cable network using microwavetransmission apparatus. Network 130 and cable plant 132 may be arrangedfor either unilateral or bilateral communications—the principles of thepresent invention are equally applicable to both cases.

Headend 135 is coupled to automatic set-up device 100 through the cableplant 132, as indicated by lines 116 and 118. Headend 135 is typicallyarranged to receive television, video, audio and data content fromremote service providers (not shown in FIG. 1) and transmits suchreceived signals to set-top terminals distributed along points in thenetwork 130. As described in more detail in the text accompanying FIGS.2 and 3 below, automatic set-up device 100 is combined with set-topterminal functionality that enables the arrangement to receive and usesignals received from network 130.

Headend 135 comprises a database 142 which is coupled via bus 144 to acontroller 146. Controller 146 may be arranged from conventional serversand similar devices. Database 142 is an electronic hard-disk drive (oran array of such devices) or other suitable conventional memory.Database 142 is arranged to store set-up commands that may be downloadedto automatic set-up device 100 under control of controller 146.

Another network may be optionally utilized in some applications of theinvention. As shown in FIG. 1, a public switched telephone network(“PSTN”) 125 is operably coupled between automatic set-up device 100 andheadend 135, via lines 119 and 121, respectively. PSTN 125 isrepresentative of a communication network that is typically used tocarry both voice and data signals. Accordingly, PSTN may allow a user102 to communicate, via voice telephone call with a customer servicelocation 129, over lines 117 and 123 as shown in FIG. 1. The customerservice location 129 may, in some applications of the invention, beco-located with elements forming CATV network 130 and operated by thesame service entity providing CATV service to user 102.

FIG. 1 shows PSTN 125 as coupling automatic set-up device 100 to headend135 via line 119 and 121. Such connection is an optional configurationthat allows requests and other communications to be uploaded fromautomatic set-up device 100 to the controller 146 in headend 135. PSTN125 may advantageously employed, for example, if network 130 and cableplant 132 are not arranged for bi-directional transmission, or ifupstream bandwidth is limited. Alternatively, PSTN 125 may be used tosupplement or back-up available upstream transmission bandwidth.

Remote control 110 is arranged in a conventional manner to controlautomatic set-up device 100, and the functions included therein. Remotecontrol may include a set of buttons 112 and a display 114 (such asliquid crystal display, or “LCD”) to facilitate user interaction withthe automatic set-up device 100. It is noted that while remote control110 may be advantageously used to facilitate practice of the invention,it may also be desirable, in some applications, to provide a userinterface directly on automatic set-up device 100. For example, a set ofbuttons and display may be placed on a panel (not shown) that isconveniently located on automatic set-up device 100 to facilitate userinteraction with automatic set-up device 100.

A variety of remote electronic devices are depicted in the illustrativeembodiment of FIG. 1, and may include the typical components of a homeentertainment system that may be manufactured by different companies.These are shown in FIG. 1 as television 150, VCR 156, DVD player 162,stereo/home theater controller 168, CD player 174, laser disc player176, CATV set-top terminal (i.e., “cable box”) 178, and satellitetelevision receiver 182. Other electronic devices and home entertainmentcomponents may also be advantageously used with the invention. Suchdevices are collectively depicted in FIG. 1 by the functional blockidentified by reference numeral 188. Electronic devices 107 may beoperably coupled via hardwire connections or a communications bus (notshown). Electronic devices, as described in the background section, aregenerally controllable by a matching native remote control. For the sakeof clarity in FIG. 1, a single native remote control 108 is depicted forcontrolling television 150 via an IR control beam 109, however nativeremote control 108 represents the plurality of native remote controlsthat are used with the collection of electronic devices identified byreference numeral 107.

Television 150 is coupled to automatic set-up device 100 with connection103 so that television 150 may receive programming from CATV network130. In addition, television 150 conveniently provides a means for anOSD that facilitates user interaction with the inventive arrangementusing a GUI.

Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a simplified functional blockdiagram depicting details of the automatic set-up device 100, includingan optionally utilized set-top terminal module 210, IR blaster 255, IRreceiver 262, controller 220, memory 245, and event detector 232.Automatic set-up device 100 is arranged to broadcast IR signals to theelectronic devices 107 (FIG. 1) and receive IR signals from nativeremote controllers 108 (FIG. 1), as indicated by reference numerals 259and 269, respectively. Communications with network 130 (FIG. 1) may beoptionally utilized, in either unilateral or bilateral communicationsmode, depending upon the requirement of the application, as shown byline 208. Communications with PSTN 125 may also be optionally used, asshown by line 212 representing an appropriate communications interfacein FIG. 2. Set-top terminal Module 210, and communication interfaces 208and 212 are optionally utilized when automatic set-up device 100 isconfigured to download data from database 142 (FIG. 1).

In many applications of the invention, the automatic set-up device 100may be conveniently packaged or integrated with a set-top terminal. Asshown in FIG. 3, certain elements used in automatic set-up device 100may be included as additional functional blocks in a standard set-topterminal 310, such as a Motorola DCT5000 interactive digital set-topterminal. The components employed to implement set-top terminalfunctions are collectively shown and identified in FIG. 3 by referencenumeral 335. The automatic set-up device of the invention may beimplemented as a module 320 within the set-top terminal 310, as shown inFIG. 3. Alternatively, the functions provided by some elements may beimplemented by using existing set-top terminal components (that may besuitably modified, if required). For example, the IR receiver,controller and memory functions described herein may be advantageouslyimplemented, in some applications, by employing appropriate componentsthat are in place to facilitate typical set-top terminal features andfunctions. Users may interact with the set-top terminal 310 using anappropriately configured remote control, or via direct access to a userinterface (e.g., buttons and a display) provided on the set-top terminalitself.

In other applications of the invention, sufficient data may be stored inmemory 245 to facilitate the use of automatic set-up device 100 in astand alone mode where no connections to external data sources ornetworks are required. Alternatively, additional data may be accessed bythe automatic set-up device 100 operated in a stand alone mode by usingremovable storage media such as memory cards and cartridges, floppydiskettes, or CD-ROMs.

Returning back to FIG. 2, IR receiver 262 is operably coupled tocontroller 220 with bus 267. IR receiver 262 is arranged to detect andreceive IR signals 269 transmitted by native remote controls 108. Inparticular, IR receiver 262 is specifically enabled to receive a widevariety of coded IR transmissions that may be sent using any number ofprotocols. That is, IR receiver 262 is intended to detect and receivemany IR transmission parameters including carrier frequency, bitmodulation scheme, transmission start and stop methods, number of databits and types, and so on, in order to understand the command or otherinformation that is carried by the IR signal. Thus, for example,automatic set-up device 100, using IR receiver 262 and controller 220,may receive and understand a button push (or sequence of pushes)indicating “channel up”, “power”, “scroll up”, “scroll down”alphanumeric entries, or the like, made by the user using any of thenative remote controls 108.

IR blaster 255 is selected to broadcast an IR signal 259 to electronicdevices 107 under operative control of controller 220 via bus 257. TheIR signal comprises set-up commands that are derived from commandsstored in database 142 (FIG. 1) or memory 245, or codes transmitted bynative remote control 108 that are detected and stored. IR blaster 255is further selected to broadcast using a variety of transmissionprotocols so that the electronic devices 107, which may be made bydifferent manufacturers, may receive and understand the set-up commandscontained in the broadcast IR signal 259. IR blaster 255 may also bearranged, in some applications of the invention, to simultaneouslybroadcast multiple sets of set-up commands in a multiplexed IR signal toeffectuate set-up of multiple electronic devices 107 at the same time.

Event detector 232 is operably coupled to controller 220 with bus 224.Event detector functions 232 to detect one or more events, such as poweroutage and restoration events, that are used to trigger the automaticrestoration of settings in electronic devices. Event detector 232 may beselected from discrete functional elements, including appropriatecircuits, or may be realized in firmware (not shown), or as softwareresident, for example, in memory 245 or database 142 (FIG. 1) thatcontrols the operation of controller 220 to provide for event detectorfunctionality.

In the case of power outage and restoration detection, event detector232 may be arranged to monitor the voltage applied to the AC power linecoming into the automatic set-up device 100. If the voltage drops belowa threshold, or if the power is lost altogether and then is subsequentlyrestored, event detector provides an appropriate notification tocontroller 220. In such an arrangement, the automatic set-up device 100is placed on the same electrical circuit as electronic devices 107 sothat a power loss at the automatic set-up device 100 is indicative of apower loss at the electrical devices 107. Other arrangements may also beused to detect a power loss event, for example, the automatic set-updevice 100 may be equipped with a power supply capable of powering anumber of electronic devices 107. In this case, power loss at theautomatic set-up device 100 unambiguously indicates a corresponding lossat the electronics devices. Alternatively, the electronic devices may beactively monitored where, for example, an IR command is periodicallysent to a device and a corresponding response is detected. Failure toreceive the expected response may be indicative of a power loss at thedevice. Such alternatives may be advantageously employed in instanceswhere AC power detection at the automatic set-up device is impracticalas an event trigger (for example, in large collections of electronicdevices requiring the use of multiple AC circuits). Active monitoringcan thus detect a partial power loss condition that may occur, forexample, when only a single circuit breaker is tripped but power is notgenerally out.

Memory 245 is operably coupled to controller 220 using bus 247, as shownin FIG. 1. Memory 245 may be realized in random access memory or asreadable and writeable storage, such as a hard-disk drive. In mostapplications of the invention, it is desirable that memory 245 beconfigured in a non-volatile arrangement where the stored contents arekept intact irrespective of whether power is supplied to the memory.Memory 245 may be used to store set-up commands, preferred electronicdevice settings and other data (such as data allowing pertinent menus tobe displayed to the user), alone or in combination with database 142.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting an illustrative method of operating theautomatic set-up device 100. The method starts at block 400. A userinteracts with remote control 110 (FIG. 1) to enter a set-up procedure,as shown in block 410. In many applications, a GUI is desirable tofacilitate the set-up procedure, which may be displayed on the displayscreen 114 of remote control 110 or as an OSD on the coupled television150 (FIG. 1). A group of hierarchically arranged menus are employed inthis step for displaying options that the user may select to navigatethrough the set-up procedure.

At decision block 412, the user indicates whether a certain electronicdevice is being set-up for the first time, or whether the user wishes torestore setting on a device that was previously set-up (and for whichsettings were stored). If a first time set-up, the process moves toblock 416, where the user selects a particular method to identify theelectronic device to the automatic set-up device 100. As shown in FIG.4, three different methods may be used: identification through use ofthe native remote control; identification through entry of certainbackground information pertaining to the device; or, identificationthrough interaction with a customer service representative at customerservice location 129 (FIG. 1).

At decision block 418, if the user elects to identify the electronicdevice using the native remote control 108 (FIG. 1), then at the stepdepicted by block 422, the GUI prompts the user to enter an exemplarykey or button-push sequence from the native remote control 108. An IRsignal representative of the exemplary sequence is received by IRreceiver 269 (FIG. 2). Characteristics of the received IR signal arepassed to the controller 220 (FIG. 2) or uploaded to controller 146(FIG. 1) where they are compared to a stored library of characteristicscontained in the respective memory 245 (FIG. 1) or database 142 (FIG.2).

The stored characteristics have a corresponding electronic device sothat a match made between the characteristics of the received IR signaland those contained in the library allows the identification to be made.A dedicated comparator, or functionally equivalent arrangement ofcontroller 220 and firm or software, may be used in the case of localprocessing. Alternatively, either alone or in combination with thematching function performed by the automatic set-up device 100,controller 146 may be similarly configured (or a dedicated comparatorutilized) to supplement or replace the local matching function withremote processing.

Identifying characteristics for most major electronic devices areavailable from manufacturers and a large number may be readily stored inmemory 245 or database 142. In some applications of the invention wherethe matching is performed by a local comparator (or functionallyequivalent processor) at the automatic set-up device 100, then updatedidentifying characteristics and corresponding devices may be downloaded,on a regular basis or as needed, from the CATV network 130. Suchupdating may be desirable, for example, as electronic equipmenttypically evolves quickly in terms of new features and functions, andnew equipment is introduced to the market on a regular basis. However,as noted above, it may be desirable to operate automatic set-up device100 in a stand alone mode in some applications. Updates in this case, ifneeded or desired, may be accomplished for example, using removablestorage media such as magnetic diskettes, or other nonvolatile removablememory including memory cards, sticks, and cartridges. In otherapplications, updated data may be obtained using another networkconnection, for example a connection to a wide area network such as theInternet that is provided to the user's personal computer.

The second method of identifying an electronic device is depicted atblock 430 of FIG. 4, where the user, by interacting with remote control110, manually enters information into fields supplied by the GUI, orselects the electronic device from a menu, as shown in block 434. Theinterface may be arranged to accept identification data usingmanufacturer and model numbers, for example, or in the case of certainelectronic devices, using a code that uniquely identifies the device.

The remaining method of identifying an electronic device to theautomatic set-up device 100 of the present invention comprises atelephone call between the user 102 and customer service location 129over PSTN 125 and lines 123 and 117 (FIG. 1). In this case, the user maydescribe identifying data to a customer service representative (“CSR”),as shown in block 438. The CSR identifies the device from thedescription and sends the pertinent identification data over the PSTN125, or other network such as a local area network (not shown in FIG.1), to automatic set-up device 100 or headend 135 for furtherprocessing.

Data pertaining to the identified electronic device may be stored,either locally in memory 245, or remotely in database 142 as indicatedin block 425 of FIG. 4. The inventive arrangement may use the storeddata to manage the set-up interface with the user so that stored set-upsfor each electronic device in the user's collection may be reviewedperiodically. Such review capabilities advantageously allows the user tomanage the large constellation of features and functions provided by thecollection.

In block 452, a menu (or collection of menus) having pertinence to theidentified electronic device is retrieved from memory 245 or downloadedfrom database 142 and displayed to the user through the GUI, asindicated in block 455. That is, a specific menu that isfeature-appropriate to the identified electronic device is obtained byautomatic set-up device 100, in accordance with the invention.

The method moves next to block 460, where using remote control 110 (FIG.1), the user works through each displayed menu in turn, entering data ormaking selections as appropriate, until the settings for the identifiedelectronic device are selected accordingly. In block 462, the settingsare stored, either locally in memory 245 or uploaded to database 142 atthe headend 135 of CATV network 130 (FIG. 1).

A set-up command, or set-up command sequence corresponding to theselected settings are retrieved from memory 245 or downloaded fromdatabase 142, as indicated in block 464. As with the library ofidentifying characteristics, the set-up commands that are used withspecific electronic devices are available from most major manufacturers.In applications where automatic set-up device 100 operates as a standalone device, updates to the stored set-up commands may be installedlocally through removable media, or through an alternative to CATVnetwork 130, such as an Internet connection.

As indicated in block 466, the time is obtained so that electronicdevices having a clock function can be set-up with the correct time. Atime stamp may obtained from a network source, such as headend 135, orin applications where automatic set-up device 100 is operated in a standalone mode, accurate time may kept locally or obtained from analternative source, for example via the AC power line, or satellitesource. A time stamp may also be obtained from on-air signals such asthose from Public Broadcasting Service stations (i.e., “PBS” stations),where local time information is inserted within the vertical blankinginterval of the analog transmission stream.

Moving to block 468, the method continues where the set-up commands aretransmitted by IR blaster 255 (FIG. 2) to set-up the electronic device107 identified in the earlier steps (blocks 418 to 425 and accompanyingtext). It is noted that blocks 452 through 468 in FIG. 4 and theaccompanying text depict and describe an aspect of the inventionreferred to below as a “guided set-up.” The set-up is guided as theinventive arrangement advantageously facilitates the configuration of auser's electronic devices through the interactive menus, storedsettings, and downloaded commands.

If the user has other electronic devices to set-up, then the processrepeats at block 416. Otherwise, event detector 232 (FIG. 2) isactivated so that the automatic set-up device 100 is in a standby modeand readied to restore settings in the case of a power outage event, asdepicted in block 472.

If a triggering event is detected by event detector 232, such as a poweroutage and restoration, then settings appropriate to an electronicdevice or a plurality of such devices are retrieved from memory 245(FIG. 2) or from database 142 (FIG. 1). While a power outage andrestoration is one example of a event that may trigger a set-uprestoration in accordance with the invention, other events may also be atrigger. For example, a low voltage, or “brown out” condition may besufficient to cause programmed set-ups to be lost or corrupted in anelectronic device. In addition, events such as the switch to and fromstandard to daylight savings time (i.e., a seasonal time change) mayprompt a set-up command or command sequence to be broadcastautomatically. The event detector 232 would be arranged accordingly.

Continuing with the method, after settings are retrieved from memory, asdepicted in block 480, a correct time is obtained in a similar manner asdescribed above. Set-up commands are obtained as described in the textaccompanying block 464 of FIG. 4. The set-up command or command sequenceis broadcast to restore settings with those stored in accordance withuser selection, as shown in block 482. After restoration, controlreturns to block 472, where automatic set-up device 100 is placed backin standby mode to await another triggering event.

In some circumstances, it may be desirable for the user to restorestored set-up settings associated with one or more electronic device 107(FIG. 1) where such restoration is independent of the above-describedtriggering events, and thus is not automatic. For example, as depictedin blocks 490 through 498 in FIG. 4, a user may choose to manuallytrigger a setting restoration of one or more selected electronic devices107. This aspect of the inventive method begins at block 490 where theuser picks a manual restoration option from a menu and designates aparticular electronic device or a number of devices, for which settingsare to be restored. The settings that were previously stored (using themethod depicted in blocks 416 to 462 and described in the accompanyingtext) are retrieved from memory and the correct time is obtained, asshown in blocks 492 and 494, respectively. Block 496 indicates that aset-up command or command sequence that correspond to the retrievedsettings are also retrieved from memory 245 (FIG. 2) or downloaded fromdatabase 142 (FIG. 1), and then broadcast by the IR blaster 255 (FIG. 2)to restore the settings in electronic devices 107. The method ends atblock 498, as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting another illustrative method of operatingthe automatic set-up device 100, in accordance with the invention. Inthis illustrative method, IR receiver 262 performs as an “IR snooper”where it receives IR signals transmitted by a native remote controllers108 (FIG. 1) when a user set-ups an electronic device in a conventionalmanner. IR receiver 262 thus operates transparently in the background,and its receipt of the IR signals from native remote controllers 108does not effect the normal set-up or use of the electronic device.

The method starts at block 500. At block 510, as shown in FIG. 5, theuser selects and sets-up the desired settings of features and functionsusing a native remote control in a conventional manner. At block 514,the IR snooper (e.g., IR receiver 262) receives the set-up commands fromthe native remote control that are coded in an IR beam.

The received commands are stored locally in memory 245, uploaded todatabase 142, or a combination of local and remote storage may be used,as depicted in block 516. At decision block 520, if other electronicdevice set-ups are detected, then the process described with blocks 510to 516 repeats, and set-up commands for the other electronic device arealso stored in memory.

The method continues at blocks 572 to 582 where, upon the detection of atriggering event, set-up commands are automatically broadcast via an IRbeam to the electronic devices to restore settings, in accordance withthe invention. The method of blocks 572 to 582 is similar to the methoddepicted in blocks 472 to 482 of FIG. 4 and described in theaccompanying text.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of another illustrative method using the IRsnooper (i.e., IR receiver 262). In this method, the guided set-upaspect of the invention shown in FIG. 4 and described in theaccompanying text, is implemented to facilitate the configuration of newelectronic devices, for example, or whenever the inventive arrangementdetects that the user may need assistance in configuring electronicequipment.

The method starts at block 600. At block 610, as shown in FIG. 6, theuser selects and sets-up the desired settings of features and functionsusing a native remote control in a conventional manner. At block 612,the IR snooper (e.g., IR receiver 262) receives the set-up commands fromthe native remote control that are coded in an IR beam.

The automatic set-up device 100 reviews the received set-up commands todetermine whether the user is having difficulty or requires assistance(for example, the received command sequence does not correspond to aknown command sequence, the received key presses are inconsistent witheach other, or the received key presses otherwise indicate that the userrequires assistance), as shown in decision block 614. If the receivedset-up commands indicate to the automatic set-up device 100 thatassistance is required, then control passes to block 630 as the guidedset-up arrangement shown above in FIG. 4 and described in the textaccompanying blocks 452 to 468.

At block 635, as shown in FIG. 6, the received commands are storedlocally in memory 245, uploaded to database 142, or a combination oflocal and remote storage may be used. If no assistance opportunity isdetected at decision block 614, then control passes to decision block616. Here, the set-up commands received by the IR snooper are comparedagainst the stored set-up commands to determine if the received commandscorrespond to an electronic device that has been previously configuredor set-up by the user using the inventive arrangement (i.e., the deviceis previously “known” to the automatic set-up device 100). If theelectronic device is not known, then control passes to block 630 and theautomatic set-up device 100 prompts to user through a guided set-up, asdepicted in block 630.

Advantageously then, the user is afforded with an automatic set-upopportunity whenever electronic equipment is newly acquired. The usermerely needs to activate the native remote control to indicate that newequipment is present and the automatic set-up device 100 then guides theuser through a step-by-step installation and set-up procedure withoutrequiring the user to consult the often complex documentationaccompanying the electronic device.

At decision block 642, if other electronic device set-ups are detected,then the process described with blocks 610 to 616 repeats, and set-upcommands for the other electronic device are also stored in memory atblock 635. The method continues at blocks 672 to 682 where, upon thedetection of a triggering event, set-up commands are automaticallybroadcast via an IR beam to the electronic devices to restore settings,in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a block diagram of anillustrated method for performing remote diagnosis and troubleshootingof electronic device 107 (FIG. 1). In the illustrative method depictedin FIG. 7, the trouble reporting and corresponding remote diagnosis andtroubleshooting is performed in an automated manner, without theintervention of a CSR or other person, except for difficult or unusualcircumstances that may not be readily resolved in such an automatedmanner.

The method starts at block 700. At block 710, the user reportsdifficulty with one or more electronic devices 107 to the customerservice center 129 (FIG. 1). Such reporting may be performed byinteracting with an appropriate GUI and menu provided by the automatedset-up device 100. Thus, by entering the appropriate information withthe remote control 110 (or selecting the appropriate troubledescriptions from a menu), the user may identify the affected electronicdevice and note the associated trouble in some detail, as shown by block715. The problem is electronically documented as a trouble ticket thatis uploaded to headend 135 (FIG. 1), as shown in block 720. Othermethods for communicating with a CSR may also be used, for example byplacing a telephone call over PSTN 125 (FIG. 1) or by accessing theservice provider's website via the internet.

If, as depicted in decision block 725, the trouble is one that isfrequently encountered, an automated response as provided by blocks 730to 737 may be appropriately used. For example, certain conflicts betweenspecific models of devices may be known to cause particular problems. Insuch cases, a resolution of the problem may be implemented by retrievingthe appropriate set-up commands and broadcasting them to the affectedelectronic devices. Such commands may reset the electronic devices to aninitialized state, or otherwise program the devices to avoid theconflict, if possible. If a time setting needs to be performed, then thecorrect time is obtained, as indicated in block 735.

If a determination is made that the reported trouble is not common, orthe problem requires some special handling that is best provided by aCSR, then control passes to control point “A” and the functional blocksincluded in FIG. 8. Such human intervention may be optionally invoked bythe user, for example, by selecting an appropriate menu option, byplacing a telephone call directly to the customer service center or byaccessing the service provider's website.

If the selected set-up command resolves the problem, then the methodends at block 755, otherwise, the process depicted in blocks 730 to 737repeats, with another set-up command being tried, until either theproblem is resolved, or a predetermined troubleshooting time periodexpires. In the case of time expiration, control passes to control point“A” and the functional blocks included in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting another illustrative method forperforming remote diagnosis and troubleshooting of electronic devices107. In the illustrative method depicted in FIG. 8, the troublereporting and corresponding remote diagnosis and trouble shooting areperformed in a semi-automated manner with the assistance of a human CSRor other person. The method depicted in FIG. 8 may be invoked by theuser as a primary method of trouble resolution, or may be a back-up tothe automated method depicted in FIG. 8 and described in theaccompanying text.

The method starts at block 800. At block 810, the user reports thetrouble to a CSR, using example, a telephone call placed on PSTN 125(FIG. 1). Block 810 is also the entry point to the method from controlpoints “A” in FIG. 7. Moving to block 815, a verbal description of theproblems is provided and the affected electronic devices are identified.Trouble ticketing data may be stored in database 142 (FIG. 1) forrecording keeping purposes, or to assist with future trouble resolutionsessions, as indicated in block 820.

Block 830 indicates that the CSR may manually select a set-up, control,or operating command, or a command sequence, from database 142 or fromother sources of documentation pertaining to the affected electronicdevices. At block 845, the commands are downloaded to memory 245contained in automatic set-up device 100. At block 850, the IR blaster255 broadcasts the commands via an IR beam to the electronic devices107.

The user reports the results of the commands selected by the CSR asindicated by block 855. If, at decision block 860 the trouble isresolved, the method ends at block 865, otherwise the CSR may tryadditional commands and ascertain the results after the additionalcommands are broadcast until the trouble is resolved. In someapplications of the invention, the results of the commands may bedetected by a device and reported directly to the CSR through a networkconnection. For example, a set-top terminal having a connection via abilateral communication network (such as cable plant 132 in FIG. 1) ortelephone network (such as PSTN 125 in FIG. 1), may be arranged toperform self diagnosis and upload the diagnosis results to the headend135 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart depicting an illustrative method for sharingcommon or similar set-ups among a group of users. Such sharing may bedesired, for example, when a common media event such as a broadcastconcert or movie has associated home entertainment system settings thatmay be optimized to the event. In the movie scenario, sound effects maybe presented with greatest dramatic impact, for example, if the receiveris set to decode the audio soundtrack using a particular method orprotocol, or the audio equalization is set to a recommendedconfiguration. Similarly, the video component may have optimal orrecommended settings including screen aspect ratio and resolution.

The method starts at block 900. At block 910, a user selects a broadcastevent, for example, by subscribing to a typical “pay-per-view” event. Atblock 915, the user's collection of electronic devices 107 isidentified. Such identification may be made, in some instances, byretrieving a user profile that has been previously stored, eitherlocally in memory 245 (FIG. 2) or at database 142 (FIG. 1).

Optimized electronic device settings corresponding to the selected eventand identified electronic devices are selected and downloaded to memory245 in automatic set-up device 100, as shown in block 920. At block 925,the optimized settings are broadcast as a command or command sequence tothe appropriate electronic devices 107 prior to the start of the event.

The method shown in blocks 910 to 925 is repeated until all the eventsubscribers have received the optimized settings for the event. Oncethat occurs, the method ends at block 945, as shown in FIG. 9.

Other embodiments of the invention may be implemented in accordance withthe claims that follow.

1. A method of controlling settings in an electronic device, the electronic device having user-controllable functionalities, the method comprising the steps of: providing a menu to a user with which at least one of the controllable functionalities may be set by a user; receiving a user-selected menu choice indicative of a selected setting of the at least one controllable functionality, wherein the selected setting are stored in a memory; receiving from a database, a set-up command corresponding to the menu choice; and transmitting the set-up command in an IR beam to the electronic device to set the user-controllable functionality of the electronic device to the selected setting, wherein the transmitting step is performed subsequent to receiving an indication of a power loss, wherein the indication of power loss is automatically generated and does not require user intervention; wherein the set-up command corresponding to the stored selected settings are transmitted automatically, immediately upon detection of power restoration after a power outage.
 2. A method of configuring an electronic device, the electronic device being controllable by a native remote control, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an IR signal, at an automatic set-up device, indicative of a user-controlled command that is transmitted between the native remote control and the electronic device; sending the command to a memory, wherein said memory is remote from the native remote control; detecting a triggering event; retrieving, in response to the detected triggering event, the command from the memory; and transmitting the command in an IR beam to the electronic device, wherein the step of transmitting is performed in response to the detected triggering event, and wherein the triggering event is automatically detected at the automatic set-up device and is not based on user interaction.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the event comprises restoration of power following a power outage.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the event comprises a seasonal time change.
 5. The method of claim 2 wherein the command is automatically transmitted upon detecting the triggering event to restore configuration settings of the electronic device.
 6. An apparatus for configuring an electronic device, the electronic device being controllable by a native remote control, comprising: an IR receiver for receiving an IR signal, indicative of a user-controlled command, that is transmitted between the native remote control and the electronic device; an interface to a memory, the memory arranged to store the command, wherein said memory is remote from the native remote control; a detector for detecting a triggering event, wherein the triggering event is automatically detected by the detector at the electronic device and is not based on user interaction; a processor operably coupled to the memory for retrieving the command when the triggering event is detected; and an IR transmitter for transmitting the command in an IR beam to the electronic device.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the memory is located locally with the processor.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the memory is located at a controller at a remote headend.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the event comprises restoration of power following a power outage.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the event comprises a seasonal time change.
 11. The apparatus of claim 6 further including a set-top terminal module.
 12. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the apparatus for configuring an electronic device is incorporated substantially within a set-top terminal.
 13. A method for configuring an electronic device, the electronic device being controllable by a native remote control, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an IR signal from the native remote control; sending an electronic representation of the received signal to a processor to identify the electronic device, the processor comparing the representation to a library of stored characteristics where each stored characteristic has an associated identified electronic device; retrieving a configuration command matched to the identified electronic device from a memory, wherein the memory is remote from the native remote control; and automatically transmitting the retrieved configuration command in an IR beam to the electronic device, wherein the step of transmitting is performed in response to an event that (a) is automatically detected, and (b) occurs without user intervention.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the event comprises restoration of power following a power outage.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein the event is a seasonal time change.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the configuration commands are transmitted automatically upon detection of power restoration after a power outage.
 17. An apparatus for configuring an electronic device, the electronic device being controllable by a native remote control, the apparatus comprising: a receiver for receiving an IR signal from the native remote control; an interface operably coupled to a comparator through which a representation of the received signal is sent to the comparator to identify the electronic device by comparing the representation to a library of stored characteristics, where each stored characteristic has an associated identified electronic device; a processor for retrieving a configuration command pertaining to the identified electronic device from a memory wherein the memory is remote from the native remote control; an IR transmitter for transmitting the retrieved command in an IR beam to the electronic device; and an event detector for automatically triggering the IR transmitter upon detection of an event, wherein the event is automatically detected by said event detector and is not based on user interaction.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the event comprises restoration of power following a power outage.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the event comprises a seasonal time change.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17 further including a controller for triggering the IR transmitter automatically upon restoration of power subsequent to a power outage.
 21. The apparatus of claim 17 further including a set-top terminal module.
 22. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the apparatus for controlling settings is incorporated substantially within a set-top terminal.
 23. A method for restoring configuring settings in an electronic device after a power loss, the electronic device being controllable by a native remote control, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a set of IR signals from the native remote control, the set of IR signals indicative of a user-defined command; interpreting the received IR signal set to identify the electronic device by comparing the representation to a library of stored characteristics, each stored characteristic having an associated identified electronic device; detecting a power loss, wherein said detecting does not require user intervention; retrieving a configuration command pertaining to the identified electronic device from a memory subsequent to an occurrence of the power loss; and transmitting the retrieved configuration command in an IR beam to the electronic device to restore the configuration settings to an original state.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of transmitting is performed in response to a detected event.
 25. The method of claim 23 wherein the event comprises restoration of power following a power outage.
 26. The method of claim 23 wherein the event is a seasonal time change. 